SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine announced a new mobile health clinic to expand access to primary health care in Springfield this week. 

What You Need To Know

  • Gov. DeWine announced a new mobile health clinic to expand access to primary health care this week 

  • Gov. DeWine has allocated nearly $2 million to help Springfield as it continues to grow in population 
  • Gov. DeWine condemns any backlash toward Haitian refugees 

The clinic comes after a troubled couple of weeks, as Springfield was launched into the national spotlight due to the recent influx of Haitian immigrants. Gov. DeWine has also added more state troopers in the community to support school safety after several bomb threats. But, local residents express how they feel about the city being in the light, and how local state leaders have responded to the influx of refugees, and the ongoing rhetoric surrounding the city. 

Beth Goodrich has been a resident of Springfield, Ohio for 51 years, and she’s very involved in the community. She serves on the greater Springfield partnership, which is also known as the local chamber of commerce. Goodrich believes the influx of refugees has helped the city fill jobs and create a better economic sector. 

“We have been a rust belt town that has been dying out,” Goodrich said. “International harvester used to be here with a plethora of jobs and those are gone. So the arrival of the Haitian community just being a bonus and a plus and a very positive thing for our community. But, with that being said, when you have an influx of that many families and individuals, it does challenge your safety systems, your education system and your health care system. Those challenges have been worked on over the last few years and continue to be important and we are meeting those challenges.” 

Goodrich says she’s happy with the statewide dollars being placed in the community to help alleviate some of the problems the city has continued dealing with due to immigration. The governor has invested in Springfield, helping with assimilation efforts, safety and primary health care. 

“The other thing we want to do is just reach more people,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “Make sure that we’re reaching pregnant mothers early, early, early in their pregnancy to give them the help and support that they need and also to reach anyone else who might need health care and maybe is not getting it now.” 

However, not all local residents are on board with how state leaders are handling the situation. 

“Immigrants are getting more than we are,” said Pam Oliver, another Springfield resident. “They’re getting free health care. We weren’t paying for ours. We’re paying for them through our taxpayers’ money. We can’t afford to move. So we’re stuck. We just watch our home and our city go downhill and there’s nothing we can do about it because nobody listens."

Meanwhile, some residents told Spectrum News after a townhall with former Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy they believe the refugees are having a tough time assimilating into their perspective of American culture. 

“Granted, there’s a few of them that young with doctors, lawyers and so forth,” said Mark Vale, also a Springfield resident. “But, the bulk of them are just general people have no interest in assimilating right now.” 

However, Goodrich believes local growth can only trigger a better economy, better diversity, and more cultural awareness. She hopes the community will continue to grow in a positive way but it will require unity from all residents in the region.  

“The beauty of springfield is you can make a difference,” Goodrich said. “And individuals living in this town can make a positive difference in this community.”